ADA, Okla. -- A crowd of more than 1,000 supporters gathered at the Pontotoc County Agri-Plex to see the inauguration of Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby and Lt. Gov. Jefferson Keel.
Chickasaw Nation Supreme Court Justice Barbara Anne Smith was also sworn into office, along with legislators Holly Easterling, Judy Goforth Parker, D. Scott Colbert, Wilson Seawright and Wanda Blackwood Scott.
Making mention of the great progress the Chickasaw Nation has made in recent years, Gov. Anoatubby acknowledged the important role of the legislative and judicial branches of the tribal government, as well as the employees and citizens in attaining that success, and said that "the nation is on the verge of even greater things."
Gov. Anoatubby also expressed his gratitude to the federal, state and local officials in attendance for the cooperation and close relationships that have resulted in improvements in programs, services, infrastructure and facilities that benefit not only Chickasaw citizens, but all citizens of the state.
"We have forged many paths together throughout the years," said Gov. Anoatubby. "Our goals are the same - to provide opportunities to our people. By improving the Chickasaw Nation we improve the state of Oklahoma, and by improving Oklahoma, we are improving the Chickasaw Nation. We are working hard to provide a better quality of life for everyone."
Citing accomplishments in health care, education, senior services and a variety of other areas, Gov. Anoatubby pledged that "this is only the beginning."
"We are constantly searching for ways to improve and expand the programs and services we provide," said Gov. Anoatubby. "We have a state-of-the-art health system now, but we can do better. We have a senior program like no other in the country, but we can do better. Our businesses are providing a great deal of revenue for us, but we can do better. We have more jobs and more opportunities for skill building than we've ever had, but we can do better."
Echoing his campaign theme of building a nation together, Gov. Anoatubby ended with a call for continued unity that drew thunderous applause.
"We are a sovereign nation. It is up to each one of us to protect our heritage - to provide opportunities for the future. We want to build a nation - build it strong so that 200 years from now generations of Chickasaws to come will remember the importance of our culture and our way of life.
"Our government has great responsibilities. It is a work in progress. We will continue to look for ways to serve and we look forward to what the future holds for the great unconquered and unconquerable Chickasaw Nation!"
